ILOILO City – Despite its relentless campaign against illegal drug personalities since July 2016, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) still has 643 remaining high-value targets.
They include barangay officials and members of the Philippine National Police, according to Brigadier General John Bulalacao, regional police director.
These personalities are under surveillance and various police units have been tasked to get them, he added.
“Expect our operations to be bloody if they fight back,” said Bulalacao.
Thus the better option for these high-value targets is to surrender peacefully, he stressed.
He cited one case – the April 28 operation in Estrella Subdivision, Barangay 6, Victorias, City, Negros Occidental that led to the death of suspected drug lord Leoner Jalandoon.
The Jalandoon drug group covered Negros and Panay islands.
Jalandoon sold P27,000 worth of shabu to a police poseur-buyer and fought back when he was about to be arrested, according to Bulalacao.
The police afterwards recovered more shabu valued at P2.7 million.
“I’m warning drug personalities. You will suffer the same fate as Jalandoon’s should you fight back,” said Bulalacao.
According to the police general, drug personalities appear fearless perhaps because “drug transactions are lucrative” and help them “sustain their lifestyle.”
The PRO-6 classified Jalandoon as a high-value target – level 3.
Jalandoon’s live-in partner, Janine Cruz, helped in the suspect’s transactions, said Bulalacao, so she was arrested during the April 28 operation.
Cruz now faces charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 for being caught in possession of and selling illegal drugs; and violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) for illegal possession of firearms and an explosive.
Cruz is now under the custody of the Victorias City police. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
